Heavy Rescue: 401

Heavy Rescue: 401 is a Canadian reality TV show that follows the operations of multiple heavy vehicle rescue and recovery towing companies, along with the support from the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), Ministry of Transportation of Ontario, and York Regional Police, based in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and southern Ontario region.[1] The show focuses on the hardships of operating along Ontario's 400-series highways, such as the 401 in the GTA.

Heavy Rescue: 401
Country of origin	Canada
Original language	English
No. of seasons	4
No. of episodes	47
Production
Production locations	Greater Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada Sarnia, Ontario, Canada Southern Ontario, Canada
Running time	43–44 minutes
Release
Original network	Discovery Channel Canada (2016) The Weather Channel (2017)
Picture format	480i (SDTV) 1080i (HDTV)
Chronology
Related shows	Highway Thru Hell
External links
Heavy Rescue: 401
Great Pacific TV

After the success of Highway thru Hell was well established with five top-rated seasons, the series' creator Mark Miller developed a spinoff series titled Heavy Rescue: 401, which debuted on January 3, 2017, on Discovery Canada following the debut of the pilot in October 2016. The show is produced by Great Pacific Television, and executive produced by Kelly McClugan and Blair Reekie. Season 1 contains nine 45-minute episodes.

The show focuses on the work of heavy recovery operators in Southern Ontario. Every long and tough winter they have their hands full as they do everything in their power to keep the region's highways clear of wrecks and the traffic moving. The task is far from easy, as these roads are among the busiest in the world, with up to 400,000 vehicles passing through every day.[2]

History

After The Weather Channel's show Highway Thru Hell achieved success, it decided to make another series about heavy recovery in Canada.

On April 18, 2019, the show was shown on The Weather Channel in place of their morning forecast due to hackers attacking the station and taking the live forecasting off-air.[3]

Episodes

[4]

Season		Episodes		Originally aired
				First aired	Last aired
	1	9		October 10, 2016	February 28, 2017
	2	10		January 2, 2018	March 6, 2018
	3	14		January 8, 2019	April 9, 2019
	4	14		January 7, 2020	April 7, 2020
	5	TBA		January 5, 2021	TBA

Season 1 (2016–17)

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Original air date	Canada viewers (millions)
1	1	"Shock and Awe"	October 10, 2016	N/A
A semi-truck crush shuts down a crucial border route; a tanker wreck causes a commuter chaos in Toronto.
2	2	"War Zone"	January 3, 2017	0.504[5]
Rookie Sonny faces a 40-car pile-up that turns major highway into a war zone; a fierce storm triggers a triple-semi crash; a father-son team race to clear the road as the weather blasts in.
3	3	"All Around Us"	January 17, 2017	N/A
A courier truck rolls over; a vicious storm puts Mark in the middle of a crash zone; the crew dives for cover during an icy airbag job.
4	4	"Anything Can Happen"	January 24, 2017	N/A
James and Bubba recover a semi smashed into a building; Kevin faces problems with a tractor-trailer crashed in deep mud.
5	5	"A Load of Problems"	January 31, 2017	N/A
Gary's team fights to upright a battered trailer; a rookie takes his first shot as lead operator on the rotator.
6	6	"Honour Guard"	February 7, 2017	N/A
Kyle tangles with a wreck that will prove if he's got what it takes to lead the team; Sonny heads to the scene of a violent jackknife.
7	7	"Nerves of Steel"	February 14, 2017	N/A
A whiteout pile-up scatters heavy I-beams across the highway, testing James and his crew.
8	8	"My Way or The Highway"	February 21, 2017	N/A
Steve cleans up a fuel spill blocking the 400; Sonny struggles to keep the alternate route moving.
9	9	"Worlds Apart"	February 28, 2017	N/A
Members of the Highway Thru Hell crew join the 401 crew to compare the unique challenges of recovery work in their respective environments.

Season 2 (2018)

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Original air date	Canada viewers (millions)
10	1	"It Only Takes a Second"	January 2, 2018	N/A
Sonny and the team from Steve's Towing fight to remove the wreckage from a dump truck embedded in an overpass on the 401. James Ireland faces a trailer threatening to cave in on his crew.
11	2	"This is Chaos"	January 9, 2018	N/A
A freak storm unleashes a 100-car pile-up east of Toronto, pushing Steve and Sonny to lead the recovery charge; Kevin fights a tough wreck after a trucker smashes into an orchard.
12	3	"Guardian Angel"	January 16, 2018	N/A
A massive multiple-semi crash in a tunnel forces the Coxon crew to clear a big mess in a tight space; Mark Haslett heads to the rescue when a women is trapped in a dangerous stretch of the highway in Toronto.
13	4	"Skyway Thru Hell"	January 23, 2018	N/A
When a violent windstorm flips a tractor trailer on an exposed bridge, Kevin works under the most dangerous and difficult conditions of his career; James takes on a wind battered wreck of his own.
14	5	"Where There's Smoke"	January 30, 2018	N/A
A tragic collision between two semis sends Bear and the crew from Ross into the fray; Nate and Andrew improvise after a load of lumber rolls on the 401, backing up traffic all the way to Quebec.
15	6	"Not Your Regular Fender-Bender"	February 6, 2018	N/A
Sonny hunts for a shortcut across town after a runaway van smashes through a wall and into the path of a full-speed truck; the crew from Herb’s hurries to save a load of pharmaceuticals before it freezes.
16	7	"Feels Like a Win"	February 13, 2018	N/A
Freezing rain scatters Gary’s team, forcing him to work solo to open the continent’s busiest border crossing; in Windsor, Brad, Eric and crew fear a tragedy when they untangle a sedan badly crushed by a semi.
17	8	"A Very Long Night"	February 20, 2018	N/A
A storm sweeps across the province, sending heavy rescue crews scrambling; in Hamilton, Kevin fights to clear a wreck in time for the plows to get through.
18	9	"Always a Danger"	February 27, 2018	N/A
The pressure is on for Steve when a flipped truck blocks access to the airport; Coxon fights a wreck with a toxic payload; a wild rollover rips a cab off its chassis and leaves a trail of destruction for the Ross crew.
19	10	"Thrown In The Deep End"	March 6, 2018	N/A
A heavy wreck and a frustrating recovery threaten to overwhelm Kevin; after a big change in his career, Sonny struggles to make a mark when a heavy load flips in the middle of the city.

Season 3 (2019)

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Original air date	Canada viewers (millions)
20	1	"It's Now or Never and Pray for the Best"	January 8, 2019	N/A
Sonny deals with a jackknife during the first winter storm; John deals with a messy wreck under an overpass.
21	2	"One Twisted Mess"	January 15, 2019	N/A
Kevin orchestrates a team of heavy operators during a highway cleanup job; Gary's crew is sent on a marathon recovery.
22	3	"The 401 Is Calling"	January 22, 2019	N/A
The Sarnia crew battles exhaustion and frustration on a wreck that refuses to stop fighting; a badly timed breakdown puts Eric on edge; Sonny works to free a fleet of plows trapped on the highway.
23	4	"There's Gotta Be A Way"	January 29, 2019	N/A
Thick fog descends on the highway, turning a seemingly simple recovery into one of the most dangerous jobs of Gary's career; a mangled trailer forces the Ross crew to take a chance on a very unconventional maneuver.
24	5	"Only Getting Worse"	February 5, 2019	N/A
The crew scrambles to keep the roads open during a whiteout, but drivers wind up stranded on the 402; John battles high winds during a job high above the 401.
25	6	"Your Heart Sinks"	February 12, 2019	N/A
Herb's Towing turns a wreck on its head with some unexpected assistance; with traffic backing up for 50 kilometres, a fuel leak complicates an already stressful recovery for Steve and crew.
26	7	"Plan Of Attack"	February 19, 2019	N/A
The Ross crew responds to an overturned wreck; the road to the border is shut down; John faces a steep ravine for a recovery.
27	8	"Ladies And Gents We're Going To War"	February 26, 2019	N/A
The crew from Herb's faces a night of non-stop recoveries when a blizzard hits; a veteran fights the toughest battle of his career at a multi-semi pileup.
28	9	"Whole Lot Of Faith"	March 5, 2019	N/A
The crew responds to a wreck scene that stretches over half a kilometre; Sonny takes on the role of mentor; Onne and the crew work to save a trailer.
29	10	"There Is Nothing Else"	March 12, 2019	N/A
Gary and the team tackle a tanker wreck; Steve's crew fights to get a tall tractor off the highway.
30	11	"Only One Shot"	March 19, 2019	N/A
The Ross crew works the biggest, most complex job of the season after a bridge collapses in a river; a young rotator operator gets in over his head.
31	12	"We're Not Safe Here"	March 26, 2019	N/A
Collin gets caught in the middle of icy roads; Collin attempts his first solo recovery; Bubba fights to stop a fuel leak and a buckling trailer.
32	13	"Between Life And Death"	April 2, 2019	N/A
Andrew's sister joins the crew for her first recovery; Eric attempts to keep his crew safe; Collin's once-in-a-lifetime job goes wrong.
33	14	"Beat Up And Bloody"	April 9, 2019	N/A
Bubba battles a stubborn wreck in the middle of an ice storm; Sonny must improvise while clearing a pile of steel beams; Gary deals with a plummeting tanker.

Season 4 (2020)

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Original air date	Canada viewers (millions)
34	1	"We're Jumping In"	January 7, 2020	N/A
After three decades on the highway, a major change forces Eric Godard to adapt to a new crew on a tough rollover; a vicious pre-winter storm pushes Sonny into urgent on-the-job training; a jet fuel spill shuts down the entire 401.
35	2	"Take a Deep Breath"	January 14, 2020	N/A
When a tanker bursts open east of Toronto, a young operator faces a toxic mess; Gary reacts fast when he spots a dangerous mistake on the road; a rookie takes the controls for his first heavy job.
36	3	"There's Always Fear"	January 21, 2020	N/A
Steve's crew battles a fiery wreck in the heart of Toronto; the OPP takes to the air to keep the roads safe; when freezing rain ices up the highway around London, a newly promoted rotator operator gets his first big test.
37	4	"Not the Best Spot to Be"	January 28, 2020	N/A
A pileup on the 401 brings traffic to a standstill and pushes the Ross crew into action; Sonny helps a driver stuck on a dangerous stretch of highway in Toronto; Herb's rookie Zach masters a difficult move for the first time.
38	5	"Free the Highway"	February 4, 2020	N/A
Over 70 vehicles pile up on highway 401 in a whiteout with over 100 tow operators on site; the Sarnia team struggles to recover a badly damaged trailer without losing the load.
39	6	"Pull"	February 11, 2020	N/A
Eric is still working to find his place on the new County/Coxon team when a T-bone semi collision spurs them into action; with his first baby on the way, a blizzard in the east sends Andrew on an urgent rescue mission.
40	7	"A Big Problem"	February 18, 2020	N/A
An air ambulance crew takes off after a pileup results in serious casualties; Preferred fights to clear two wrecks blocking the road to the border; a veteran operator rescues a leaning trailer.
41	8	"Holy Mackerel, What A Mess"	February 25, 2020	N/A
After a triple crash, the crew from Chatham struggles to keep a mangled truck in one piece; a complicated air cushion job tests a new rotator operator; the new heavy crew at Metro gets a bad case of déjà vu.
42	9	"That Highway Is The Lifeline"	March 3, 2020	N/A
The Herb’s team fights fire while tussling with a burned-out semi; as whiteouts rage across the 402 in Sarnia, Mark fights his way through a long backup to reach a job; a unique recovery crew faces a heavy load of peat moss and trailer ready to split.
43	10	"A Real Disaster"	March 10, 2020	N/A
With his dad away, Mitch works with his older brother to get a stubborn wreck onto the road, but these brothers rarely see eye-to-eye; Glen, Todd and crew improvise to offload some extreme cargo.
44	11	"I've Seen My Share"	March 17, 2020	N/A
A rolled-over dump truck spills its load on the 401 in the middle of rush hour, and Steve, Sonny and crew make a split-second decision; Eric works to cement his place on the new team when he and his boss disagree on how to handle a shredded trailer.
45	12	"You Are Never Safe"	March 24, 2020	N/A
Snow squalls attack Highway 402, sending Gary, Collin and Mark to work deep in the trees; a fuel tanker rolls next to rail lines in Toronto’s industrial port lands; the Chatham crew improvises against a fire-ravaged wreck.
46	13	"Always Makes My Knees Knock"	March 31, 2020	N/A
Mitch’s new partnership with his brother is put to the test in the aftermath of a brutal storm; Eric, Derek and crew take on a load of steel pipes that threaten to spring loose on the road; Andrew and his team wrestle difficult cargo.
47	14	"It's a Rush Every Time"	April 7, 2020	N/A
Gary’s crew and family come together for a multi-wreck scene blocking the border; low power lines and a bad fuel leak complicate a delicate recovery in Toronto; a garbage hauler creates a heavy mess for the Ross crew.

Season 5 (2021)

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Original air date	Canada viewers (millions)
48	1	"Big, Mean and Heavy"	January 5, 2021	N/A
A load of lumber spills across the 401 in the heart of Toronto, sending John Allen into the first storm of the season. After an injury on the job, Gary must lean on Collin for a heavy and delicate recovery. Meanwhile, Sonny makes a major change in his life and career.
49	2	"The Worst Place"	January 12, 2021	TBD
The OPP must manage a chaotic scene after a thirty-vehicle pileup shuts down the 401; Mitch sets a tight deadline in his first job as leader of the heavy crew; a semi smashes into a culvert, the Ross's try out their newest operator.
50	3	"Everything That Can Go Wrong"	January 19, 2021	TBD
Sonny and his new boss face their first heavy test, fighting a semi frozen hard into the mud; a double collision brings border traffic to a halt in Sarnia, forcing Gary and crew to wrangle a difficult load of cargo.
51	4	"A Hell of a Pull"	January 26, 2021	TBD

References

1. Sarah Godard, Renee Dupuis (March 21, 2016). "Closure is Not an Option: Production Underway on Discovery's New Series HEAVY RESCUE: 401 From Producers of Top-Rated HIGHWAY THRU HELL". Bell Media. Bell Media. Retrieved October 10, 2016.
2. "Heavy Rescue: 401". Premiere Date. Retrieved 12 June 2017.
3. https://www.cnn.com/2019/04/18/media/weather-channel-hack/index.html
4. Heavy Rescue: 401
5. http://mediaincanada.com/2017/01/12/highway-thru-hell-spin-off-hits-ratings-record-for-discovery/

External links

• Official Discovery Channel Canada website: Heavy Rescue: 401 (original network website)
• Heavy Rescue 401 on Twitter: https://twitter.com/HeavyRescue401
• Heavy Rescue 401 on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeavyRescue401
• Heavy Rescue: 401 at IMDb